Work vehicle

ABSTRACT

A work vehicle includes a ground propulsion apparatus, a chassis, and a vehicle body. The vehicle body includes a first body part with an operator cab and a second body part. The first body part and the second body part are disposed on opposite sides of a fore-aft longitudinal center line of the work vehicle. The second body part has a front exterior surface, an inner side exterior surface, and a vertically extending chamfered exterior surface slanted in an outward-forward direction from the inner side exterior surface towards the front exterior surface to define a vertically extending chamfered corner. The chamfered exterior surface is disposed at least in an area extending from a height position corresponding to a seat index point of the operator cab to a height position corresponding to a design eye point of the operator cab.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a work vehicle. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a work vehicle configuredto improve visibility from an operator cab of the work vehicle.

Background Information

A work vehicle is a machine used in construction, mining, forestry,farming, etc. Such work vehicles typically have at least one workimplement coupled to the vehicle body. The work implement is oftenmovable but can be stationary in some cases. Such work vehicles includea ground propulsion apparatus that uses tracks or wheels to propeland/or steer the work vehicle. The tracks or wheels also serve tosupport the main body of the work vehicle.

The vehicle bodies of some work vehicles have a first body partincluding an operator cab disposed one side of a longitudinal centerline of the work vehicle and a second body part disposed on the otherside of the longitudinal center line. For example, such work vehicles asexcavators, feller bunchers and harvesters often have a work implementattached to the vehicle body at a position near the longitudinal centerline such that the work implement is disposed between the first andsecond body parts and extends frontward from the work vehicle. The firstbody part (operator cab) is disposed to one side or the other of thelongitudinal center line to avoid interference between the operator caband the work implement and to allow an operator to have good visibilityof the work implement during work. Meanwhile, the second body partprovided on the opposite side of the longitudinal center line typicallyencloses various components of the work vehicle, such as an engine, ahydraulic pump, a fluid tank and a cooling device.

SUMMARY

It has been discovered that in some work vehicles it is necessary toarrange hydraulic pumps and other serviceable components closer to thefront of the vehicle body in order to achieve a suitable lengthdimension of the vehicle body. For example, in some work vehicles, suchas feller bunchers, it is desirable to have a vehicle body with ashorter length in the rear in order to achieve a shorter tail swingradius. Since feller bunchers are often used in forests or other woodedareas, it is preferable for the vehicle body to be short in order toavoid interference between the vehicle body and nearby tree trunks andbranches that may be located in positions not readily visible to anoperator of the work vehicle. In order to achieve the shorter vehiclebody length, such components as the engine, pumps, fluid tanks, andcooling devices may be moved forward to a position adjacent the operatorcab on the opposite side of longitudinal center line as the operatorcab. In some cases, a front panel of the second body part may bedisposed slightly more forward than a front panel of the first bodypart.

Additionally, in order to fit the components within the shorter vehiclebody, some of the components may be arranged vertically above and belowone another. As a result, the height dimension of a frontward portion ofthe second body part may need to be increased. Consequently, thevisibility from the operator cab of the first body part in a lateraldirection toward the second body part (on the opposite side oflongitudinal center line as the operator cab) may be limited incomparison with work vehicles in which the serviceable components arearranged further rearward and the frontward portion of the second bodypart has a shorter height dimension.

Additionally, it has been discovered that it is advantageous for theoperator of a feller buncher, for example, to be able to see the fronttip ends of the left and right tracks (if the work vehicle is equippedwith tracks for ground propulsion). In particular, some operators use atechnique in which an inward side of the left or right track is hookedonto the uphill side of the stump of a previously cut tree to provideadditional support for the work vehicle while working on a sloped groundsurface. Better visibility of the frontward end portions of the tracks,particularly the track on the opposite side of the work vehicle from theoperator cab, can help operators execute such techniques and therebyimprove productivity.

In view of the state of the known technology and in accordance with afirst aspect of the present disclosure, a work vehicle is basicallyprovided that comprises a ground propulsion apparatus, a chassis and avehicle body. The chassis is supported by the ground propulsionapparatus, and the vehicle body is supported by the chassis. The vehiclebody includes a first body part with an operator cab and a second bodypart. The first body part is disposed on a first lateral side of thechassis, and the second body part is disposed on a second lateral sideof the chassis. The first and second lateral sides are opposite lateralsides with respect to a fore-aft longitudinal center line of the workvehicle. The second body part has a front exterior surface, an innerside exterior surface and a vertically extending chamfered exteriorsurface. The front exterior facing surface faces in a forward directionof the work vehicle. The inner side exterior surface faces in alaterally inward direction of the work vehicle. The vertically extendingchamfered exterior surface is slanted in an outward-forward directionfrom the inner side exterior surface towards the front exterior surfaceto define a vertically extending chamfered corner. The chamferedexterior surface is disposed at least in an area extending from a heightposition corresponding to a seat index point of the operator cab to aheight position corresponding to a design eye point of the operator cab.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a workvehicle is basically provided that comprises a ground propulsionapparatus, a chassis and a vehicle body. The chassis is supported by theground propulsion apparatus, and the vehicle body is supported by thechassis. The vehicle body includes a deck, a first body part with anoperator cab and a second body part. The first body part is disposed ona first lateral side of the deck, and the second body part is disposedon a second lateral side of the deck. The first and second lateral sidesare opposite lateral sides with respect to a fore-aft longitudinalcenter line of the work vehicle. The deck has a front end edge extendingin a widthwise direction of the chassis. The front end edge includes afirst end edge portion disposed on the first lateral side and a secondend edge portion disposed on the second lateral side. The first end edgeportion is offset in a rearward direction of the chassis from the secondend edge portion. The first body part has a first lower frontward edge,and the second body part has a second lower frontward edge. The firstlower frontward edge is disposed rearward of the second lower frontwardedge.

Also other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the disclosedwork vehicle will become apparent to those skilled in the work vehiclefield from the following detailed description, which, taken inconjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses one embodiment of thework vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a work vehicle in accordance withone illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view of the work vehicle illustratedin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the work vehicle illustratedin FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the work vehicle illustrated inFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the work vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1 withthe roof of the operator cab removed;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the work vehicle illustrated inFIG. 1 with the work implement removed;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the work vehicle illustrated inFIG. 1 with the work implement removed;

FIG. 8 is a front oblique view of the work vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1with the work implement removed, and viewed along a directionperpendicular to the chamfered exterior surface;

FIG. 9 is a front oblique view of the work vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1with the work implement removed, viewed along a direction parallel tothe chamfered exterior surface;

FIG. 10 is top plan view of the work vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1 withthe work implement removed.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the work vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1with the work implement removed and with most of the vehicle bodyremoved such that the deck is exposed;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the work vehicle illustrated inFIG. 1 with the work implement removed and the cover of the serviceablecomponent compartment opened;

FIG. 13 is a top rear end perspective view of the work vehicleillustrated in FIG. 1 with the work implement removed and the cover ofthe serviceable component compartment partially opened; and

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a fluid tank of the work vehicleillustrated in FIG. 1 having a vertically extending chamfered corner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

A selected embodiment will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the following description of the embodiment is providedfor illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the inventionas defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 to 5, a work vehicle 10 is illustrated inaccordance with one illustrated embodiment. As explained below, the workvehicle 10 is configured to improve the lateral visibility for anoperator seated in the work vehicle 10. In the illustrated embodiment,the work vehicle 10 is a short tail tracked feller buncher. Whilecertain aspects are particularly beneficial in a feller buncher, many ofthe aspects of the work vehicle 10 can be applied to other types of workvehicle.

The work vehicle 10 basically includes a ground propulsion apparatus 12,a chassis 14 and a vehicle body 16. The ground propulsion apparatus 12serves to move the work vehicle 10 along a ground surface. The chassis14 is a frame structure that is disposed between the ground propulsionapparatus 12 and the vehicle body 16. The chassis 14 supports thevehicle body 16 with respect to the ground propulsion apparatus 12.Here, the vehicle body 16 is swingably mounted to the chassis 14 about avertical swing axis A.

Basically, the vehicle body 16 includes a first body part 18 and asecond body part 20. The first body part 18 has an operator cab 22. Thevehicle body 16 further includes a deck 24 as a platform on which thefirst body part 18 and the second body part 20 are supported. The deck24 has a front end edge 24 a, a rear end edge 24 b and a first side edge24 c and a second side edge 24 d. The front end edge 24 a of the deck 24extends in a widthwise direction of the chassis 14 between the first andsecond side edges 24 c and 24 d. The deck 24 will be explained in moredetail later.

As seen in FIG. 4, the first body part 18 is disposed on a first lateralside S1 (left lateral side) of the chassis 14, and the second body part20 is disposed on a second lateral side S2 (right lateral side) of thechassis 14. The first and second lateral sides SI and S2 are oppositelateral sides with respect to a fore-aft longitudinal center line CL ofthe work vehicle 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the operator cab 22is located on the first lateral side S1 of the chassis 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the vehicle body 16 further includes a workimplement 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the work implement 26 isattached to the vehicle body 16 at a point rearward of the operator cab22. More specifically, the work implement 26 is attached to the deck 24at a point rearward of the operator cab 22. The work implement 26 isdisposed between the first body part 18 and the second body part 20. Thework implement 26 is disposed along the fore-aft longitudinal centerline CL of the work vehicle 10. In the illustrated embodiment, as shownin FIGS. 7, 10, and 11, the work implement 26 is attached to the deck 24at a position close to a rear end of the deck 24 and above a rear endportion of the chassis 14. This arrangement of the work implement 26allows the weight of the work implement 26 to act as a counterweight ofthe work vehicle 10 and contributes to a shorter tail swing radius.

Although the work vehicle 10 of the illustrated embodiment includes thework implement 26, certain aspects of the work vehicle 10 as discussedand illustrated herein can be implemented in work vehicles that do notinclude a work implement. In illustrated embodiment, the work implement26 includes a boom 26 a, an arm 26 b and a work attachment 26 c. Theboom 26 a has a first end pivotally attached to the deck 24 and a secondend pivotally attached to a first end of the arm 26 b. The workattachment 26 c is movably attached to a second end of the arm 26 b.Here, the work attachment 26 c is a high-speed disc saw. The boom 26 aand the arm 26 b are operated using a hydraulic system in a conventionalmanner. Thus, the operation of the hydraulic system for the boom 26 aand the arm 26 b will not be discussed and/or illustrated in furtherdetail herein. Also, the work attachment 26 c is also operated in aconventional manner. Thus, the operation of the work attachment 26 cwill not be discussed and/or illustrated in further detail herein.

The ground propulsion apparatus 12 of the illustrated embodimentincludes an undercarriage and other conventional parts that enable thework vehicle 10 to move along a ground surface. In the illustratedembodiment, the ground propulsion apparatus 12 includes a left or firsttrack 12A and a right or second track 12B. The first and second tracks12A and 12B are arranged to contact the ground surface. The first andsecond first and second tracks 12A and 12B are driven by, for example, ahydraulic motor (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the workvehicle 10 is a short tail tracked feller buncher in that the rear endof the vehicle body 16 does not extend beyond the first and secondtracks 12A and 12B. In other words, a rearmost portion of the vehiclebody 16 is positioned forward with respect to a rearmost end of thefirst and second tracks 12A and 12B when the vehicle body 16 is orientedfacing forward without a swing angle.

Although the ground propulsion apparatus 12 of the illustratedembodiment has the first and second first and second tracks 12A and 12B,the invention is not limited to a work vehicle that uses tracks. Forexample, the ground propulsion apparatus 12 can include wheels or someother means of moving the work vehicle 10 along the ground.

As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the chassis 14 is basically a frame towhich the ground propulsion apparatus 12 is attached. The chassis 14 issupported with respect to the ground surface by the ground propulsionapparatus 12 and serves to support the vehicle body 16 with respect tothe ground propulsion apparatus 12. In the illustrated embodiment, thechassis 14 is a generally rectangular frame structure having left andright lateral sides configured to support the first and second tracks12A and 12B. An upper surface of the chassis 14 is configured to bulgeupward at a middle portion between a front end and a rear end of thechassis 14. The middle portion is configured to support a swingapparatus 28 that supports the vehicle body 16. The swing apparatus 28includes a swing bearing and a swing motor. In the illustratedembodiment, the swing motor, the swing bearing, and the vehicle body 16are coupled together such that the vehicle body 16 can be rotated abouta vertical swing axis A by the swing motor. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 2and 3, the vehicle body 16 is supported on the swing apparatus 28 suchthat the vehicle body 16 is swingably mounted to the chassis 14 aboutthe vertical swing axis A. Although the illustrated embodiment isprovided with the swing apparatus 28, the invention is not limited to awork vehicle that includes a swing apparatus. The vehicle body 16 couldbe non-rotatable or fixed with respect to the chassis 14.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first body part 18 is arranged on theleft side of the fore-aft longitudinal center line CL of the workvehicle 10 such that the first body part 18 is disposed above the firsttrack 12A. The first body part 18 has a generally box-like shapeincluding a front panel 31, a left side panel 32, a right side panel 33,a rear panel 34 and a roof panel 35. The panels 31 to 35 define exteriorsurfaces of the first body part 18. The panels 31, 32 and 33 define anexterior of the operator cab 22. In the illustrated embodiment, each ofthe panels 31, 32 and 33 is provided with one or more windows to allowan operator to see in frontward, leftward, and rightward directions frominside the operator cab 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the roofpanel 35 is provided with a skylight 35 a to allow natural light toenter the operator cab 22. The front panel 31 is mainly provided with awindow that is tilted slightly forward such that an upper end of thefirst front panel 31 is disposed farther forward than a lower end of thefirst front panel 31. The operator cab 22 is not limited to theparticular arrangement of windows shown in drawings. Any arrangement ofwindows is acceptable so long as the windows provide sufficientvisibility from the operator cab 22. In particular, the window(s) of theright side panel 33 preferably allows the operator to see at least afrontward portion of the second body part 20 when the operator is seatedinside the operator cab 22 and looking from a position corresponding toa design eye point EP (explained later).

The operator cab 22 will now be briefly described referring particularlyto FIGS. 4 to 7. The operator cab 22 includes a driver's seat 36 andvarious operating members used by the operator to operate the workvehicle 10. In the illustrated embodiment, two joystick type operatingmembers are provided on opposite sides of the driver's seat 36 to beoperated by hand, and two pedal type operating members are provided onthe floor to be operated with the operator's feet. There are noparticular limitations on the arrangement and type of operating membersprovided in the operator cab 22. However, the operating members willtypically be arranged in positions where they are easy for the operatorto access and do not obstruct the operator's field of view.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 to 10, the second body part 20 will beexplained. In the illustrated embodiment, the second body part 20 isarranged on the right side of the fore-aft longitudinal center line CLof the work vehicle 10 such that the second body part 20 is disposedabove the second track 12B. Although the first body part 18 is providedon the left side of the fore-aft longitudinal center line CL and thesecond body part 20 is provided on the right side of the fore-aftlongitudinal center line CL in the illustrated embodiment, the workvehicle 10 is not limited to such an arrangement. Thus, it is acceptablefor the first body part 18 to be arranged on the right side of thefore-aft longitudinal center line CL, and the second body part 20 to bearranged on the left side of the fore-aft longitudinal center line CL.

The second body part 20 will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 3to 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the second body part 20 has agenerally box-like shape and includes a front panel 41, a left sidepanel 42, a right side panel 43, a rear panel 44, a top panel 45 and achamfered corner panel 46. The chamfered corner panel 46 is disposedbetween the front panel 41 and the left side panel 44. The panels 41 to46 define exterior surfaces of the second body part 20.

In particular, the front panel 41 defines a first front exterior surface41 a, a second front exterior surface 41 b and a third front exteriorsurface 41 c. The first, second and third front exterior surfaces 41 a,41 b and 41 c face in a forward direction of the work vehicle 10. Theleft side panel 42 defines an inner side exterior surface 42 a thatfaces in a laterally inward direction of the work vehicle 10. Thechamfered corner panel 46 defines a first chamfered exterior surface 46a, a second chamfered exterior surface 46 b and a third chamferedexterior surface 46 c. The first, second and third chamfered exteriorsurfaces 46 a, 46 b and 46 c are slanted with respect to the fore-aftlongitudinal direction of the work vehicle 10. The second chamferedexterior surface 46 b is also tilted with respect to a verticaldirection of the work vehicle 10. The second chamfered exterior surface46 b extends between the first and third chamfered exterior surfaces 46a and 46 c. The first and third chamfered exterior surfaces 46 a and 46c are vertically extending chamfered exterior surfaces that are slantedin an outward-forward direction from the inner side exterior surface 42a towards the front exterior surface 41 a, thereby defining a verticallyextending chamfered corner 48.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 10, the second and third exterior surfaces 41 band 41 c of the front panel 41 define a frontwardly bulged portion thatprotrudes forwardly with respect to a frontmost edge of the top panel 45of the second body part 20. Similarly, the second and third chamferedexterior surfaces 46 b and 46 c of the chamfered corner panel 46 definea frontwardly bulged portion that protrudes forwardly with respect to afrontmost edge of the top panel 45 of the second body part 20. In theillustrated embodiment, the frontwardly bulged portions of the frontpanel 41 and the chamfered corner panel 46 are provided at lowerportions of the front panel 41 and the chamfered corner panel 46. Theforwardly bulged portions provide additional space inside theserviceable component compartment of the second body part 20. In theillustrated embodiment, the additional space is particularly used tohouse a hydraulic pump (not shown). The forwardly bulged portion of thechamfered corner panel 46 is at least partially disposed below the seatindex point SIP of the operator cab 22. As shown in FIG. 7, an upperpart of each of the frontwardly bulged portions is disposed atapproximately the same height as the seat index point SIP. However, inthe illustrated embodiment, a majority of each of the forwardly bulgedportions is disposed lower than the seat index point SIP.

Although in the illustrated embodiment the chamfered exterior surfaces46 b and 46 c are chamfered in the diagonal direction along the entireheight of the forwardly bulged portion of the second body part 20, it isalso acceptable for the chamfered corner panel 46 to be configured suchthat the chamfered exterior surface extends only at least partiallyalong the forwardly bulged portion. Additionally, although forwardlybulged portions are provided on the second body part 20 in theillustrated embodiment, the second body part 20 is not limited to anarrangement having forwardly bulged portions. For example, it isacceptable for the front panel 41 to be substantially flat over theentire front exterior surface. Also, in the case of a flat frontexterior surface, it is acceptable for the chamfered exterior surface 46a to extend downward to the bottom of the second body part 20 or to anyposition between a height position corresponding to the seat index pointSIP and the bottom of the second body part 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and third chamferedexterior surfaces 46 a and 46 c of the chamfered corner panel 46 has aplanar shape that extends in the vertical direction of the work vehicle10 and a diagonal direction with respect to the fore-aft longitudinaldirection of the work vehicle 10. The second chamfered exterior surface46 b has a planar shape that extends tilted with respect to the verticaldirection of the work vehicle 10 and extends in a diagonal directionwith respect to the fore-aft longitudinal direction of the work vehicle10. In this way, the chamfered exterior surfaces 46 a, 46 b and 46 cdefined by the chamfered corner panel 46 extend downward from the top ofthe second body part 20 to the bottom of the second body part 20. Byproviding the chamfered corner panel 46, the operator's visibilitytowards the right side of the work vehicle is increased. It will beapparent from this disclosure that the precise size, location and shapeof the chamfered corner panel 46 depends on various factors of the workvehicle 10. In other words, the precise size, location and shape of thechamfered corner panel 46 that is shown in the drawings can be varied toobtain the desired visibility. For example, if the work vehicle 10 werereconfigured with an operator cab on the right side, then the chamferedcorner panel would be on the left side.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first chamfered exterior surface 46 a of thechamfered corner panel 46 has a vertical height H1, the second chamferedexterior surface 46 b has a vertical height H2 and the third chamferedexterior surface 46 c has a vertical height H3. Thus, the first andsecond chamfered exterior surfaces 46 a and 46 b of the chamfered cornerpanel 46 are disposed at least in an area extending from a heightposition corresponding to a seat index point SIP of the operator cab 22to a height position corresponding to the design eye point EP of theoperator cab 22. In the illustrated embodiment, as seen in FIG. 10, thefirst, second and third chamfered exterior surfaces 46 a, 46 b and 46 cof the chamfered corner panel 46 are configured to have a lateral widthW that extends at least one-fourth of an overall widthwise dimension ofthe second body part 20.

The first, second and third chamfered exterior surfaces 46 a, 46 b and46 c of the chamfered corner panel 46 are disposed with respect to theseat index point SIP of the operator cab 22 to provide at leastfifty-five degrees of lateral visibility from a forward sight plane Pthat passes through the seat index point SIP. The forward sight plane Pis a vertical plane that passes through the seat index point SIP andextends in the fore-aft longitudinal direction of the vehicle body 16.Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, the first chamfered exterior surface 46 a isarranged with respect to the seat index point SIP to provide a lateralviewing angle a of at least fifty-five degrees, and more preferably atleast fifty-seven degrees. The third chamfered exterior surface 46 c isarranged with respect to the seat index point SIP to provide a lateralviewing angle of at least fifty-five degrees. Thus, the first, secondand third chamfered exterior surfaces 46 a, 46 b and 46 c are arrangedwith respect to the seat index point SIP to provide a lateral viewingangle of at least fifty-five degrees along the entire vertical height ofthe second body part 20. As used herein, the lateral viewing angle awith respect to the chamfered exterior surface 46 a is an angle betweena line corresponding to the forward sight plane P and a line L extendingdiagonally forward and rightward from the seat index point SIP so as tolie on the chamfered exterior surface 46 a in a top plan view.Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the line L lying in theplane of the chamfered exterior surface 46 a passes through the seatindex point SIP and the design eye point EP in a top plan view. Thus, inthe illustrated embodiment, the lateral viewing angle a is approximately60 degrees with respect to a fore-aft longitudinal direction of thevehicle body 16, and the chamfered exterior surface 46 a is disposed atan angle of approximately 30 degrees with respect to a widthwisetransverse direction of the vehicle body 16.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the first and second tracks 12A and 12Bprotrude forward beyond the vehicle body 16. A frontward end of thesecond track 12B is visible to an operator setting in the driver's seat36 of the operator cab 22. Due to the shape of the chamfered exteriorsurface 46 a formed by the chamfered surface panel, a larger portion ofthe front end of the second track 12B is visible from the operator cab22 that would be visible if the second body part 20 had a box-like shapewithout the chamfered exterior surface 46 a. In the illustratedembodiment, the chamfered exterior surface 46 a is disposed with respectto the seat index point SIP of the operator cab 22 and the second trackto provide a view of a front end of the second track 12B (second track)in a longitudinal direction of the work vehicle 10 from the design eyepoint EP. That is, a front portion of the second track 12B is visiblefrom the design eye point EP of the work vehicle 10. More specifically,by providing the chamfered exterior surface 46 a approximatelyone-fourth to one-third of the entire length of the second track 12B isvisible from the design eye point EP of the work vehicle 10. Preferably,a majority of the front portion of the second track 12B that ispositioned forward of the second body part 20 is visible from the designeye point EP of the work vehicle 10. More preferably, at least eightypercent of the front portion of the second track 12B that is positionedforward of the second body part 20 is visible from the design eye pointEP of the work vehicle 10. Even more preferably, at least ninety percentof the front portion of the second track 12B that is positioned forwardof the second body part 20 is visible from the design eye point EP ofthe work vehicle 10 as shown in FIG. 5.

The second body part 20 basically forms a compartment for housingvarious serviceable components of the work vehicle 10. For example, anengine, a hydraulic pump, a fluid tank, and a cooling device may behoused inside the second body part 20. In the illustrated embodiment, acooling device (not shown) is arranged in a rear portion of the secondbody part 20, and at least one hydraulic pump (not shown) is arranged ina lower front portion of the interior of the second body part 20.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a fluid tank 50 is housed in a front upperportion of the second body part 20. The fluid tank 50 may contain oilfor a hydraulic system of the work vehicle 10 or some other fluid. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the fluid tank 50 holds hydraulic oil. Thefluid tank 50 has a sidewall 52, a top wall 54 and a bottom wall 56. Thesidewall 52 of the fluid tank 50 has a vertically extending chamferedcorner 52 a. The chamfered corner 52 a extends between a front panel 52b and an inner side panel 52 c. In this way, the chamfered corner 52 ais nested inside the chamfered corner 48 of the second body part 20.That is, the shape of the fluid tank 50 is specifically tailored to takeadvantage of the shape of the space inside the second body part 20.Although the illustrated embodiment shows the fluid tank 50 arranged ina front upper portion of the second body part 20, it is acceptable forthe fluid tank 50 to be arranged in a lower portion or a middle portionof the second body part 20 with a chamfered corner configured to benested inside the chamfered corner 48 of the second body part 20. It isalso acceptable to have more than one fluid tank arranged inside thesecond body part 20 with each of the fluid tanks having a verticallyextending chamfered corner nested inside the chamfered corner 48 of thesecond body part 20.

As seen in FIG. 11, the deck 24 of the vehicle body 16 will now beexplained in more detail. As previously mentioned, the deck 24 is aplatform that supports the first body part 18 and the second body part20. The deck 24 is basically a relatively flat platform. The front endedge 24 a includes a first or left end edge portion 24 a 1, which isdisposed on the left lateral side, and a second or right end edgeportion 24 a 2, which is disposed on the right lateral side. The frontend edge 24 a of the deck 24 includes a transitional portion 24 a 3 thatextends diagonally between the first and second end edge portions 24 a 1and 24 a 2. The transitional portion 24 a 3 substantially corresponds toa shape of the chamfered corner 28 as viewed in a top plan view of thedeck 24. The first end edge portion 24 a 1 is configured and arranged tocorrespond to the first body part 18, and the second end edge portion 24a 2 is configured and arranged to correspond to the second body part 20.In the illustrated embodiment, the first end edge portion 24 a 1 isoffset in a rearward direction of the chassis 14 from the second endedge portion 24 a 2. Additionally, a first lower frontward edge 18 a ofthe first body part 18 is spaced forward of the first end edge portion24 a 1 of the deck 24. Consequently, the first body part 18 partiallyoverhangs forwardly beyond the first end edge portion 24 a 1 of the deck24. A second lower front edge portion 20 a of the second body part 20 isaligned with the second end edge portion 24 a 2 of the deck 24. Also,the first lower frontward edge 18 a of the first body part 18 isdisposed rearward of the second lower frontward edge 20 a of the secondbody part 20. In other words, a bottom end of the front panel 31 of thefirst body part 18 is disposed farther rearward than a bottom edge ofthe front panel 41 of the second body part 20.

The seat index point SIP and the design eye point EP will now beexplained. The seat index point SIP used in this disclosure is definedby the international standards ISO 5353 (second edition dated Dec. 1,1995) and ISO 5006 (first edition dated Nov. 11, 2006). ISO 5353 defineshow to measure and establish the position of the seat index point SIP,and ISO 5006 establishes standards regarding a work vehicle operator'sfield of view using the seat index point SIP as a reference point.

As defined by ISO 5353, the seat index point SIP of a work vehicle seatis determined by placing an SIP measuring device on the seat in aspecified orientation. The SIP measuring device includes an SIP mark foridentifying the seat index point SIP. If the seat has any fore, aft,vertical, and or angular adjustments, each of the adjustments is set toa center position within the range of adjustment before measuring theseat index point SIP. Once the seat and the SIP measuring device areproperly arranged, weights (masses) are added to the SIP measuringdevice in a specified manner and at a specified position to approximatethe weight of an operator weighing 75 kg. The position of the SIP markis then located and measured with respect to a predetermined fixed pointof the work vehicle. The fixed point can be any point of the seat thatis fixed with respect to the vehicle body. For example, the fixed pointcan be a point corresponding to where a rigid base frame of the seat isbolted to a floor of the operator cab.

In this disclosure, the seat index point SIP is used as a referencepoint indicating a position of an operator seated in the driver's seat.The design eye point EP is defined to be a point located at a prescribedvertical height above the seat index point SIP. In this disclosure, thedesign eye point EP is defined to be 680 millimeters above the seatindex point SIP. The design eye point EP is used as a reference pointapproximating the position of the operator's eyes when seated in thedriver's seat. By establishing a positional and directional relationshipbetween the seat index point SIP (or the design eye point EP) and thechamfered exterior surface 46 a of the second body part 20, a particularstructure of the vehicle body 16 and the work vehicle 10 as a whole isdefined.

The design eye point EP as defined in this disclosure is slightlydifferent from the filament position center point (FPCP) described inISO 5006. As defined by ISO 5006, the filament position center point islocated 20 centimeters farther forward than the seat index point SIPand, thus, is 20 centimeters forward of the design eye point EP asdefined in this disclosure.

Many parts of the work vehicle are conventional components that are wellknown in the work vehicle field. Since these components are well knownin the work vehicle field, these structures will not be discussed orillustrated in detail herein, except as related to the invention setforth in the following claims.

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or“element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts. Also, as used herein to describethe above embodiment(s), the following directional terms “forward”,“rearward”, “above”, “downward”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “below” and“transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer tothose directions of a work vehicle on a level surface with the vehiclebody arranged such that operator cab faces in a forward advancementdirection of the work vehicle. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized todescribe the present invention should be interpreted relative to a workvehicle equipped with the present invention.

The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately”as used herein mean an amount of deviation of the modified term suchthat the end result is not significantly changed.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location ororientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/ordesired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting eachother can have intermediate structures disposed between them. Thefunctions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. Thestructures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in anotherembodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in aparticular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is uniquefrom the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, alsoshould be considered a separate description of further inventions by theapplicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodiedby such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodimentsaccording to the present invention are provided for illustration only,and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A work vehicle comprising: a ground propulsionapparatus; a chassis supported by the ground propulsion apparatus; and avehicle body supported by the chassis, the vehicle body including afirst body part with an operator cab disposed on a first lateral side ofthe chassis and a second body part disposed on a second lateral side ofthe chassis, the first and second lateral sides being opposite lateralsides with respect to a fore-aft longitudinal center line of the workvehicle, the second body part having a front exterior surface facing ina forward direction of the work vehicle, an inner side exterior surfacefacing in a laterally inward direction of the work vehicle, and avertically extending chamfered exterior surface slanted in anoutward-forward direction from the inner side exterior surface towardsthe front exterior surface to define a vertically extending chamferedcorner, the chamfered exterior surface being disposed at least in anarea extending from a height position corresponding to a seat indexpoint of the operator cab to a height position corresponding to a designeye point of the operator cab.
 2. The work vehicle according to claim 1,wherein the chamfered exterior surface extends at least one-fourth of anoverall widthwise dimension of the second body part.
 3. The work vehicleaccording to claim 1, wherein the chamfered exterior surface is disposedwith respect to the seat index point of the operator cab to provide atleast fifty-five degrees of lateral visibility from a forward sightplane that passes through the seat index point.
 4. The work vehicleaccording to claim 1, wherein the chamfered exterior surface extendsdownward from a top of the second body part to a bottom of the secondbody part.
 5. The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the frontexterior surface of the second body part includes a frontwardly bulgedportion at least partially disposed below the seat index point of theoperator cab, and the chamfered exterior surface extends at leastpartially along the frontwardly bulged portion.
 6. The work vehicleaccording to claim 1, wherein the second body part houses at least onefluid tank disposed in a frontward portion of the second body part, andthe at least one fluid tank has a vertically extending chamfered cornerthat is nested inside the chamfered corner of the second body part. 7.The work vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the ground propulsionapparatus includes a first track located beneath the first body part anda second track located beneath the second body part.
 8. The work vehicleaccording to claim 7, wherein the chamfered exterior surface is disposedwith respect to the seat index point of the operator cab and the secondtrack to provide a view of at least 760 millimeters of the second trackin a longitudinal direction of the work vehicle from the design eyepoint.
 9. The work vehicle according to claim 7, wherein a rearmostportion of the vehicle body is positioned forward with respect to arearmost end of each of the first and second tracks.
 10. The workvehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle body is swingablymounted to the chassis about a vertical swing axis.
 11. The work vehicleaccording to claim 10, further comprising a boom arranged between thefirst body part and the second body part.
 12. The work vehicle accordingto claim 11, wherein the boom is attached to the vehicle body at a pointrearward of the operator cab.
 13. The work vehicle according to claim 1,wherein the vehicle body includes a deck supporting the first and secondbody parts, the deck has a front end edge extending in a widthwisedirection of the chassis, the front end edge includes a first end edgeportion that is disposed on the first lateral side and a second end edgeportion that is disposed on the second lateral side, the first end edgeportion being offset in a rearward direction of the chassis from thesecond end edge portion.
 14. A work vehicle comprising: a groundpropulsion apparatus; a chassis supported by the ground propulsionapparatus; and a vehicle body supported by the chassis, the vehicle bodyincluding a deck, a first body part with an operator cab disposed on afirst lateral side of the deck and a second body part disposed on asecond lateral side of the deck, the first and second lateral sidesbeing opposite lateral sides with respect to a fore-aft longitudinalcenter line of the work vehicle, the deck having a front end edgeextending in a widthwise direction of the chassis, the front end edgeincluding a first end edge portion disposed on the first lateral sideand a second end edge portion disposed on the second lateral side, thefirst end edge portion being offset in a rearward direction of thechassis from the second end edge portion, the front end edge of the deckincludes a transitional portion extending diagonally between the firstand second end edge portions, the first body part having a first lowerfrontward edge and the second body part having a second lower frontwardedge, the first lower frontward edge being disposed rearward of thesecond lower frontward edge.
 15. The work vehicle according to claim 14,wherein the first body part partially overhangs forwardly beyond thefirst end edge portion.
 16. The work vehicle according to claim 14,wherein the second body part has a front exterior surface facing in aforward direction of the work vehicle, an inner side exterior surfacefacing in a laterally inward direction of the work vehicle, and avertically extending chamfered exterior surface slanted in anoutward-forward direction from the inner side exterior surface towardsthe front exterior surface to define a vertically extending chamferedcorner, and the transitional portion substantially corresponds to ashape of the chamfered corner as viewed in a top plan view.
 17. The workvehicle according to claim 14, wherein the ground propulsion apparatusincludes a first track located beneath the first body part and a secondtrack located beneath the second body part, and a rearmost portion ofthe vehicle body is positioned forward with respect to a rearmost end ofeach of the first and second tracks.
 18. The work vehicle according toclaim 14, wherein the vehicle body is swingably mounted to the chassisabout a vertical swing axis.
 19. The work vehicle according to claim 18,further comprising a boom attached to the deck between the first bodypart and the second body part at a point rearward of the operator cab.